RBWH maternity and gynaecology unit merger axed after outrage that women who lost babies forced to share wards with newborns

A controversial decision to force women who had lost babies to share wards with newborns at one of Queensland’s largest hospitals has been axed, as a state minister admits that ‘of course’ the hospital got it wrong.

A controversial move to co-locate women who have suffered stillbirth, miscarriage or termination alongside live babies at the Royal Brisbane and Women’s Hospital has been axed after outrage.

Health Minister Yvette D’Ath this morning said Metro North had withdrawn the proposal after The Courier Mail revealed grieving mothers are being forced to share the same hospital wards as new mothers and babies in a move that has been shamed as the biggest step back in maternity care in more than 50 years.

Midwives reported that the merger of the Inpatient Gynaecology Unit (IGU) with the Maternity Unit at one of Queensland’s biggest birthing hospitals, the Royal Brisbane and Women’s Hospital, has caused so much psychological distress some patients have discharged themselves early against medical advice.

COMMENT: Maternity changes at RBWH are simply baffling and cruel

Queensland Nurses and Midwives’ Union (QNMU) secretary Beth Mohle said “the collocation was unkind and incomprehensible”.

Soon after, Ms D’Ath said the co-location was a temporary measure and a proposal to move it permanently had been axed.

“I share stakeholder concerns about its location and as such, Metro North has withdrawn the proposal to permanently co-locate Gynaecology and Maternity, and is actively pursuing alternative options with stakeholders,” she said.

Education Minister Grace Grace, whose electorate the RBWH is located in, admitted that ‘of course’ the hospital got it wrong.

However she would not be drawn to comment further, saying the health minister had already addressed the concerns.

“The proposal has been withdrawn,” Ms Grace said.

“We all share the concerns in relation to what has been raised and it will be fixed.

“The RBWH is in my electorate and it is a fantastic hospital. Wonderful services are offered at the RBWH. This was a proposal. I think they’ve been made aware there are a lot of concerns out there with stakeholders, but it will be fixed.”

Earlier, Ms Mohle said the QNMU had written to Metro North Hospital and Health Service (MNHHS) officials five times outlining serious concerns around the merger. Union reps had also met with MNHHS officials twice on behalf of deeply concerned nurses and midwives who feared for the mental health of their patients.

But concerns have fallen on deaf ears.

Brisbane’s Jagmeet Randhawa gave birth to her baby boy Arbab just before the merger of the maternity and gynaecology units at the Royal Brisbane and Women’s Hospital. She shared a maternity ward with another new mum. “There is already a lot of anxiety around giving birth, especially with the first baby,” she said. “I think I would have had a panic attack if I had to share a room with a woman who had just lost her baby. It would instil a real fear. But how awful for any woman who has had such a loss to have to hear the cries of another mother’s baby and watch another woman hold the child. I can’t imagine the grief.” Picture: Zak Simmonds

The QNMU has revealed to The Courier-Mail that since the changes in August numerous women have discharged themselves “due to psychological trauma associated with being allocated beds near mothers with healthy newborns”.

The union has taken the unusual decision to launch a petition against the Queensland Health decision.

The merger was at first considered a temporary Covid response measure but this week was made permanent.

The Maternity Consumer Network’s Alecia Staines said the merger decision was nothing more than emotional and mental abuse and was the biggest step back in maternity care for more than 50 years.

“This is a hugely disappointing decision and traumatising for women. These are separate services where women have very unique needs. Bundling them together might be a cost cutting measure but it wasn’t done in consultation with women, nor is it best practice by any stretch,” she said.

The RBWH, based at Herston in Brisbane, birthed 4730 babies last year.

“More than 900 nurses, midwives and outraged Queenslanders have filed their concerns with the QNMU regarding Metro North’s decision to place new mothers and babies with those experiencing a loss or termination, fertility or reproductive issues and surgery that is deeply private and intimate,” Ms Mohle said.

“This decision is incomprehensible, especially when there are currently uncommissioned beds available nearby that could be opened up for this purpose. We call on all Queenslanders, including the many women and families who have tragically experienced loss, to support the QNMU’s online petition calling for immediate change.”

The RBWH, based at Herston in Brisbane, birthed 4730 babies last year. Picture: NCA NewsWire /Jono Searle

Queensland-based federal MP Julian Simmonds, who has publicly spoken of the heartbreak and stress he suffered with his wife Madeline due to pregnancy loss, slammed the decision.

“This is a devastatingly retrograde step by the state government and health bureaucrats that will send a shiver up the spine of every couple who is or has struggled to start a family,” he said.

“Those of us who have experienced pregnancy loss first hand will recall the feelings of failure and depression.

“So imagine how those feelings will be magnified for couples dealing with a pregnancy loss while surrounded by newborns and families who have had more successful journeys. It is uncaring in the extreme.”

The QNMU and midwife members at the RBWH have identified empty beds to set up the IGU elsewhere within Metro North in an environment where women and their families could receive care out of earshot of crying babies and families celebrating the arrival of healthy newborns.

The Maternity Consumer Network’s Alecia Staines said the merger decision was nothing more than emotional and mental abuse.

A Metro North spokeswoman said the decision was based on a plan to meet the requirements of Covid-19 quarantine wards.

“The maternity and gynaecological wards are located on the same floor but as two discrete units. This decision was made following extensive consultation with staff, consumers and the Queensland Nursing and Midwifery Union (QNMU) and has no relationship to cost reduction or medical staff convenience,” she said. “Refurbishments are currently under way to create a discrete, secure and separate space for the gynaecological unit within maternity which meets the needs of both patient cohorts. All efforts are taken to support women experiencing a miscarriage to ensure they are accommodated in a supportive environment.”

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The Kedron mum said the environment would make it very hard for a new mum with a healthy baby to show any kind of excitement and joy.

“I’m relieved I just escaped any such scenario,” she said.